Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress made between Ireland and Russia on the issue of inter-country adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39854/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Adoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013.

As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention; therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.

It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed a draft bilateral agreement presented to it during previous discussions with its Russian counterparts and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. I have asked the Adoption Authority to have further exploratory talks with the Russian authorities focussing on areas of concern in order that the Authority may progress its assessment of the situation and provide a definitive recommendation to me on the feasibility of formally opening discussion with the Russian Federation under Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010.

Further information on intercountry adoption from Russia can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the current situation regarding the inter country adoptions arrangements between Ireland and India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39923/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Adoptions between Ireland and India must comply with the terms and conditions of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Convention is a co-operative agreement drawn up to allow countries to mutually support one another in protecting the best interests of children in the intercountry adoption process. The Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is the Central Authority with responsibility for overseeing standards in respect of the adoption process taking place within this jurisdiction.

The AAI, in 2011, was notified by the Indian National Central Authority (CARA), that CARA would not be accepting dossiers from Irish applicants either until 30 September 2011 or until further notice as India was reviewing its intercountry adoption guidelines. A delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland visited India in June 2012 to discuss intercountry adoption with the Indian authorities. The delegation met with representatives of CARA and with representatives of a number of diplomatic missions in India.The Authority informs me that a report of the visit is being considered by the Board of the Authority.

The Authority advises me that if adoptions are to recommence the services of an accredited body will be required for inter country adoption between India and Ireland. The Authority has sought expressions of interest from accredited bodies in this regard. Further information on the matter is available on the website of the Adoption Authority of Ireland (www.aai.gov.ie).